Cotton Candy Skies - ꀘꏂꋊꁝ꒐ꋊꋬ

Chapter One

A small hum left his lips as he held, almost for dear life, to the handrail above his head, steadying his frame and holding it in place as the train travelled down the rusting tracks. "Ah, looks like the MSBY Jackals are facing off against the Adler's next week. I should be able to catch the game, if I get to finally sorting out my schedule... I think they got some new recruits this year too, I wonder if any have replaced the usual starting lineup?"

His eyes scanned over the tabloids atrocious, over the top and (for lack of a better expression) highly exaggerated text, Cigarette Ahegao drowning out the white noise that usually resided in his mind. His music was his escape. Don't get him wrong, he has nothing to escape from really. He's the CEO of his own company; makes a heavy amount each year, and has a few close friends he still has strong bonds as well as contact with, however, he still needed that escape.

He needed to exist outside of this reality, to exist in a white space, a void in which he can just stop for a while and breathe. To take just a moment to feel true tranquility.

The train came to a screeching halt, forcing him from his thoughts and tabloid. His attention instead focused on the opening doors, the next stop displaying on the message board above said doors and the head of bright ginger hair that waltzed around him in a respectful but airy manner. His eyes moved with the (assumed) other male, and as the slightly smaller man took grip of the rail, their eyes met.

Briefly.

So, so scarcely that he had almost thought he'd imagined them, and yet the vision was already burned into his memory, clear as the sun in a cloudless sky, or the soft sands under the Hawaiian waters.

Hazel, or a burnt amber maybe? Or they could've been a sweet, and calming honey. Dewy but clear as a midsummer night, confidence radiating from them. His eyes lingered on the man's form for a little while longer, noticing his free hand suddenly being stuffed into the boy's coat pocket, pulling out his phone. It was, to say in the least embarrassing way, a very new phone in a very child-like and cute bunny phone case. With volleyball, crow, melon and even a few handmade (seeming) keychains hanging off.

And only then, in that moment did Kenma realise the boy next to him was putting headphones in, and on his screen Spotify lit up, along with a tapping of the skip button a few times the boy settled on the song Sofia by Clairo. "That's a good song."

He had said it quietly, and to himself, not meant for anyone else, only as an observation. But whichever God had assumed control of life for today had decided that Kenma's day was going to be a strangely nice one.

"I know right? I usually listen to it on the train, it's really calming. Especially on a late night ride, when rain hails against the windows and I've just finished with work. It's unfortunate that all the seats were taken today. I usually watch the scenery while I wait for my stop." Kenma's eyes re-focused on the boys face, his soft and welcoming smile hidden partially behind his, comically large, scarf and his almond-crested eyes crinkled at the sides in a smile.

"Oh- really? That sounds um- nice, actually. I usually listen to it when I'm reading. And- uh, Sometimes I play it in the background of my Twitch and YouTube streams." they continued to chat softly to each other throughout the train ride, ultimately deciding to trade numbers and with a relaxed atmosphere, they waved their goodbyes as Kenma's stop came to pass.

"I'll text you when I get home, is that okay?" a soft smile from the ginger, and a cute half giggle.

"Of course Kenma-San. I'll reply as soon as I get home as well. And don't forget to send me the links to your social media. I'll definitely subscribe and donate!" with another soft goodbye and wave, the doors closed and the train slowly disappeared down the rusty, old tracks.

He sighed, a puff of white leaving his lips to join the atmosphere, as he caught himself smiling at his phone. The stranger had actually been really easy to communicate with, and he was cute. He was glad to have met a new friend, and would most likely end up gushing this fact to his long-time best friend Kuroo later tonight.

He took one last deep breath, before heading down the oh-so familiar streets and up to his house. Unlocking the door and relaxing into the instant warmth the house enveloped him in.

"I'm home." he spoke to the empty building, the only thing that may respond at all being his feline, Copper Top, but he highly doubted that as the cat was usually out and about.

Taking off his shoes and hanging up his coat, he pulled out his phone from where he had stuffed it in his back pocket to pay closer attention to the small ginger on the train, before hesitation built in his gut.

"Ah, why am I getting cold feet now of all times? God, just text him already." he took a few moments to mentally prepare himself, silently praying and telling himself that he promised Shōyō, before sending a simple message.

Thursday 15th March
22:39pm

Hey, Shōyō, this is Kenma. I made it to my house safe.

And with the message sent, he began his after-work routine of: eating a cup ramen, filling out documents and setting up to stream. He heard his phone ping a few times before checking his messages.

Thursday 15th March
22:43pm

Hey, Shōyō, this is Kenma. I made it to my house safe.

Ah! I'm so glad you made it home safe, Kenma-San! I also made it home safe! (≧∇≦)b

Ah, I hope you don't mind but I ended up finding your YouTube by accident a few minutes ago and subscribed! I can't wait to watch a few. I might watch your ASMR one to go to sleep tonight (」＞＜)」

A warm smile pressed against his cheeks as he read the messages, thinking for a second before replying.

Thursday 15th March
22:46pm

I might watch your ASMR one to go to sleep tonight! (」＞＜)」

I'm actually going to be live streaming on my twitch in about ten minutes, if you'd like I can do an ASMR for falling asleep?

Really?! That would be so cool!! Your voice is like super calming and umm drift-y? Like it makes my body go all 'Wa~' and I get all relaxed! Sorry that probably made zero sense. (¯―¯٥)

No, no, I understand, don't worry. I'm glad my voice made you feel relaxed. Here's the link to my Twitch account btw https://---------

Thanks! I'll subscribe and donate now ヽ(≧∀≦)ﾉ

Okay, Shō :)

When he'd finished texting he hooked his phone up to its charger and finished setting up the microphone he had bought specifically for ASMR. He set the lights up and finally started up the recording and livestreaming equipment. He took a few minutes to finish the ramen and to make himself a dragon fruit and pomegranate Boba tea, before actually starting the live.

"Hello, welcome back to my channel, today I'll be doing an hour long stream of 'falling asleep with a loved one ASMR' and afterwards we'll go onto playing a few games."